Kyiv, Ukraine – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that the total losses of Ukrainian forces since the outbreak of war with Russia in 2012 amounted to approximately 55,000 soldiers. His statement sparked considerable debate among military observers, who questioned the accuracy of the figures. This contrasted sharply with Western and unofficial estimates that suggest much higher numbers.
Zelenskyy stated that the Ukrainian army has managed to maintain its combat capabilities despite ongoing battles on the eastern and southern fronts. He emphasized that his country is paying a heavy price but remains capable of withstanding Russian forces. He also noted that Western military support has played a key role in minimizing casualties.
These statements come as fierce clashes continue along the front lines, particularly in the Donetsk, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia regions. The fronts are witnessing a protracted war of attrition relying on artillery shelling and drone strikes. This makes it increasingly difficult to accurately assess losses on both sides.
Analysts believe that Kyiv’s announcement of specific casualty figures may be part of a psychological and media warfare campaign. The Ukrainian leadership is keen to demonstrate its ability to continue fighting and maintain morale domestically. This counters Russian claims of significantly higher losses within the Ukrainian army.
Conversely, Moscow continues to assert that Ukrainian forces have suffered heavy losses since the beginning of the conflict. The precise figures remain highly contested due to the lack of independent sources capable of verifying the true extent of the casualties on the ground. This reflects the ambiguity of the military situation and the continuation of the war as an open-ended conflict with no decisive outcome in sight.
